Shared Stories

Grains and Gender: How Female Farmers are Sowing Seeds of Change

Contract farming is a viable and popular strategy to help smallholder farmers gain better access to inputs and markets. Stories of farmers who have prospered under such an agreement are laudable but perhaps even more so that of women-farmers. A group often overshadowed in the traditionally male-oriented sector that is farming, women-farmers are... more

Contract farming is a viable and popular strategy to help smallholder farmers gain better access to inputs and markets. Stories of farmers who have prospered under such an agreement are laudable but perhaps even more so that of women-farmers. A group often overshadowed in the traditionally male-oriented sector that is farming, women-farmers are increasingly being recognized for their participation in farming activities – contract farming being one of them.

THE MARK OF SAFE FOOD

Globalization has sparked an increase in consumer demand for a wider variety of foods, resulting in a longer, if not more complex, global food chain as well as the industrialization of agricultural systems in order to meet this rising demand. This also means that more actors and players are concerned in the big task of ensuring that food remains... more

Globalization has sparked an increase in consumer demand for a wider variety of foods, resulting in a longer, if not more complex, global food chain as well as the industrialization of agricultural systems in order to meet this rising demand. This also means that more actors and players are concerned in the big task of ensuring that food remains healthy and safe -- from point of production all the way to consumption.

Grains of Wisdom -- A young rice miller’s story on entrepreneurship and learning the tools of his trade

There’s a bright future for the youth in agriculture. This perhaps best captures how Mr. Bounyoung Thavisouk, the 31-year old director of Saybua Rice Mill in Khammouane, Lao PDR, feels about the younger generation’s place in agriculture.

There’s a bright future for the youth in agriculture. This perhaps best captures how Mr. Bounyoung Thavisouk, the 31-year old director of Saybua Rice Mill in Khammouane, Lao PDR, feels about the younger generation’s place in agriculture.

SEZs: GATEWAYS TO GLOBAL COMMERCE

Economic cooperation is central to the development of nations but perhaps more so for the countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). In the GMS, such cooperation has specially been given focus in the development of the economic corridors, designed to improve mobility and connectivity and more importantly, liven up economic activity.

Economic cooperation is central to the development of nations but perhaps more so for the countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). In the GMS, such cooperation has specially been given focus in the development of the economic corridors, designed to improve mobility and connectivity and more importantly, liven up economic activity.

A PARTNERSHIP THAT PAYS

In the rice farming industry, they play a significant role in integrating production improvements and market opportunities for farmers. In countries like Lao PDR where farming is confined largely among smallholder farmers and farmer groups, rice millers are central figures in the pre- and post-production activities of rice farmers.

In the rice farming industry, they play a significant role in integrating production improvements and market opportunities for farmers. In countries like Lao PDR where farming is confined largely among smallholder farmers and farmer groups, rice millers are central figures in the pre- and post-production activities of rice farmers.

Cracking Coconuts, Opening Opportunities

What started as a modest 3-hectare farm has come a long way to positioning itself as a multi-awarded and certified coconut exporting business. Located in Bang Phae District, Group of Export Organic Fruit Product was established in 1993 by Prayoon Visuttipaisan, an agronomist with over 25 years of farming experience. Weathering the business... more

What started as a modest 3-hectare farm has come a long way to positioning itself as a multi-awarded and certified coconut exporting business. Located in Bang Phae District, Group of Export Organic Fruit Product was established in 1993 by Prayoon Visuttipaisan, an agronomist with over 25 years of farming experience. Weathering the business finally paid off in 2011 when the Group received the highest national award for farming from the Thai government, consequently jumpstarting its success.

Food Safety Management System: Cambodian SMEs’ Competitive Advantage

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are said to be the new drivers of economic growth, and this could not be any truer in Cambodia with its more than 530,000 SMEs according to a 2011 report. Of this number, a staggering 82 percent are accounted for by SMEs in the food and beverage sector. Serving both domestic and international markets, these... more

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are said to be the new drivers of economic growth, and this could not be any truer in Cambodia with its more than 530,000 SMEs according to a 2011 report. Of this number, a staggering 82 percent are accounted for by SMEs in the food and beverage sector. Serving both domestic and international markets, these SMEs acknowledge that food safety control systems are a must, and not simply an option. The close association between food safety regulations and control and the overall competitiveness of their products is not lost on them.

MAINSTREAMING FOOD SAFETY IN MYANMAR UNIVERSITIES’ CURRICULA

With increased integration into the global food value chain, supply and demand are transcending borders, thereby, creating opportunities for emerging economies. New opportunities ranging from wider market access to favorable pricing strategies are inevitably challenged by the lack of knowledge and weak compliance to food safety standards and... more

With increased integration into the global food value chain, supply and demand are transcending borders, thereby, creating opportunities for emerging economies. New opportunities ranging from wider market access to favorable pricing strategies are inevitably challenged by the lack of knowledge and weak compliance to food safety standards and regulations. As such, education on international food quality and safety standards has become a key thrust area for developing countries to ensure market access and trade competitiveness.

BUILDING NETWORKS OF FOOD SAFETY CHAMPIONS

When it comes to food, nothing is more enjoyable than a delicious, good meal, but nothing is more important than safe food. Behind every bite and morsel is a complicated network of actors that have worked to make sure that what we are eating is good AND safe food. The inability to properly address food safety risks also means quality failures,... more

When it comes to food, nothing is more enjoyable than a delicious, good meal, but nothing is more important than safe food. Behind every bite and morsel is a complicated network of actors that have worked to make sure that what we are eating is good AND safe food. The inability to properly address food safety risks also means quality failures, which can, in turn, negatively impact public health, trade in food, and consumer confidence.

Brewing a thriving coffee sector in Quang Tri province, Vietnam

While nearly 95 percent of coffee produced in Vietnam is Robusta, Quang Tri Province—with over 5,000 hectares of coffee—cradles one-seventh of the country’s Arabica production. Evidently, almost 8,000 households in the province rely on Arabica as their main source of income.

While nearly 95 percent of coffee produced in Vietnam is Robusta, Quang Tri Province—with over 5,000 hectares of coffee—cradles one-seventh of the country’s Arabica production. Evidently, almost 8,000 households in the province rely on Arabica as their main source of income.

Sell to excel, excel to sell: The case of Karen Coffee

It all made sense for Khin Ohmmar Moe, Managing Director of Yangon-based Sabanan Company, Ltd., to connect the dots backwards. What was originally intended as a local trading and women’s garment business would be transformed into a coffee-producing social enterprise. To do well and to do good, Moe established Karen Coffee in early 2017. She was... more

It all made sense for Khin Ohmmar Moe, Managing Director of Yangon-based Sabanan Company, Ltd., to connect the dots backwards. What was originally intended as a local trading and women’s garment business would be transformed into a coffee-producing social enterprise. To do well and to do good, Moe established Karen Coffee in early 2017. She was driven by the aspiration of succeeding at one’s business paralleled with the goal of empowering women and ethnic groups in Karen State and eventually, contribute to her country’s socio-economic development.

Khmer Artisanry : Playing Global with a Heart for the Local

Khmer Artisanry may be a small dot in the growing SME industry of Cambodia but for founder Seila Polham, the positive inroads they have made as an enterprise are more than encouraging -- achievements that would not have been possible without the hard work of her weavers, her staff and the assistance of partners like Mekong Institute (MI) and the... more

Khmer Artisanry may be a small dot in the growing SME industry of Cambodia but for founder Seila Polham, the positive inroads they have made as an enterprise are more than encouraging -- achievements that would not have been possible without the hard work of her weavers, her staff and the assistance of partners like Mekong Institute (MI) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

The Ripple Effect of Strengthening Local Food Safety Expertise

Small and medium-sized food enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Cambodian economy. However, the country’s food manufacturing sector continues to face numerous challenges in ensuring that the food processed and distributed, especially by local agro-processors, are safe.

Small and medium-sized food enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Cambodian economy. However, the country’s food manufacturing sector continues to face numerous challenges in ensuring that the food processed and distributed, especially by local agro-processors, are safe.

LAUNCHING A SMALL RICE EMPIRE in KHAMMOUANE

Mr. Chanthavy Thongmanichanh was all smiles when he greeted us at the entrance of their rice mill. He was wearing a gray pullover and a white hard hat when he ushered us into their small business empire. “I just finished work, sorry,” he said shyly as he brushed some dirt off his shirt.

Mr. Chanthavy Thongmanichanh was all smiles when he greeted us at the entrance of their rice mill. He was wearing a gray pullover and a white hard hat when he ushered us into their small business empire. “I just finished work, sorry,” he said shyly as he brushed some dirt off his shirt.

STORY OF THE ORGANIC RICE CLUSTER

Branding can make or break a product’s performance in the market, and in the face of competition, the right branding can make a product stand out in a sea of similar competing products. With Thailand aiming to join China and India as the world’s top producers of organic rice, it is only expected for rice producers in the country to want to set... more

Branding can make or break a product’s performance in the market, and in the face of competition, the right branding can make a product stand out in a sea of similar competing products. With Thailand aiming to join China and India as the world’s top producers of organic rice, it is only expected for rice producers in the country to want to set themselves apart from the still few but remarkably significant competition.

STORY OF THE MACKEREL CLUSTER

Fishery is an integral part of Myanmar’s economy. According to a 2016 report from the Food and Agriculture Organization, fishing is the main livelihood of over one million fishers in the country. Likewise, not only is fish a staple in Burmese meals, but it is also a prime export product.

Fishery is an integral part of Myanmar’s economy. According to a 2016 report from the Food and Agriculture Organization, fishing is the main livelihood of over one million fishers in the country. Likewise, not only is fish a staple in Burmese meals, but it is also a prime export product.

STORY OF THE PANGASIUS CLUSTER, CAN THO, VIETNAM

Pangasius, or more popularly known by its local name tra, is one of Vietnam’s major export products. Top import markets are the US and EU, and in the last couple of years, China. In 2015, the tra fish started making its way to South Korean and Russian markets, all thanks to a free trade agreement inked between Vietnam and these countries.

Pangasius, or more popularly known by its local name tra, is one of Vietnam’s major export products. Top import markets are the US and EU, and in the last couple of years, China. In 2015, the tra fish started making its way to South Korean and Russian markets, all thanks to a free trade agreement inked between Vietnam and these countries.

STORY OF THE KOH KONG SEA WATER FISH SAUCE CLUSTER

Koh Kong Province in Cambodia may not be the first place to come to mind when the word fish sauce is mentioned, but members of the sea water fish sauce cluster in the province are determined to change this.

Koh Kong Province in Cambodia may not be the first place to come to mind when the word fish sauce is mentioned, but members of the sea water fish sauce cluster in the province are determined to change this.